Alternative Junction Naming Scheme for UK

[Timbones]

My client currently tells me to "exit left" regardless of how a slip road is named, or if it's even named before.

I've never seen my client (v2.0) say 'exit left'...

[Timbones]

I'm in agreement with Tim on the "to Axx/Mxx" BUT, I still think it's overkill to append it with all possible destinations, OR even with the major one, as it would just confuse.

I don't think all possible routes need to be listed, just the main one or two. This information helps the driver recognise that they have the correct exit. Once they are on the ramp, they'll then get updated instructions that are specific to the route they are actually taking.

[Timbones]

While there are many A-roads that don't have junction numbers, there are also a few motorways that don't either.
For example: A57(M) in Manchester, A58(M) and A64(M) in Leeds, M45 near Coventry, M275 in Portsmouth, and A167(M) in Newcastle.

Just sayin'

[Timbones]

Okay...

Here be my closing argument:

• The current UK naming scheme "M1 (N) J1 Exit" doesn't match the Best Editing Practice of the main Wiki, nor the detailed 'how to name ramps' page. The UK guidelines should be a localised version of the main ones, and not completely different as they are now.
• The current naming scheme also completely fails to be of any use on A-roads that don't have junction numbers, as every GSJ will have the same ramp name. This has to change if nothing else.
• The consensus from our friends over the pond is that the main purpose of ramp names is for navigation, and traffic reports are secondary. Ideally, it should be up to Waze to add more detail to traffic reports so that they are more useful. If this were to happen (which it might), then we'll need to rename all of our ramps anyway.
• Drivers like to see navigation instructions that match what they see out of the window. This is especially important when ramps split off in separate directions, identifiable only by road names or destination cities.
• Sometimes one motorway exit is also the on-ramp for another motorway. The naming of these becomes much either under this proposal.
• Both the current and proposed names can co-exist for a period of time, without worrying about 'consistency'. A large number of ramps aren't named at all, so it's better to have something than nothing.

Therefore, my proposal for our ramp naming is thus:

• Exit ramps from motorways should have the junction number, and which roads they connect to.
  For example: "J46 to A63, A6120".
  
• For junctions without numbers: "Exit to A1076, A166".
  
• If space allows and if it would be useful, the primary destinations can also be added, separated by a dash.
  For example: "J49 to A168 - Dishforth".
  
• It is not necessary to list every single road and town for a junction. The motorway signs tend to only list the primary directions, and so it makes sense for Waze to do the same. Remember, drivers are only looking for a visual cue for their exit, and they will get more relevant instructions when they get onto the ramp.
  
• On-ramps should be simply "Entry to M62 (W)".
  For on-ramps that come from roundabouts, or that split into two directions, this is especially useful.

There. My 2 cents. Who's with me?

[Timbones]

It's been suggested that Waze will eventually adjust the traffic jam alerts such that the from street information from the previous intersection will be included in some manner. Then we won't need to put that information in the ramp names. No idea when this will happen, but that doesn't mean we should keep what we have.

There was an excellent comment by WeeeZer14: "The name shown on traffic reports isn't critical because the driver should be using Waze to navigate. A traffic jam is only truly important if it is on your route. If you are using Waze in active navigation mode, Waze will know it is on your route. If Waze still sends you that way, that means that the route with traffic is still quicker than anything else Waze knows."

I would also add: if you're looking at upcoming traffic alerts on your route, the alternative ramp names I suggest will work just fine.

[Timbones]

If nothing else, we need to agree on exit ramps for junctions without numbers, and for split ramps that go two ways. We don't currently have any guidelines for either of these, and we can't wait to hear from Waze about traffic reports.

PS: I found the original discussion about Ramps/sliproads. The issue of junctions without numbers was discussed, but the wiki wasn't updated.

[Timbones]

Good post Dave!

Exit Ramps:
<Road Number> <Optional Direction> <Optional Junction Number> “Exit” <” to” Optional Onward Road Number 1, Road Number 2 …>

Examples:
M54 (E) J4 Exit to A464
A46 (N) Exit to A6

1. The “Exit” in the ramp name is superfluous for navigation but makes the ramp unique for live traffic reports.

I like this very much. I would, however, suggest dropping "Exit" from ramps with J numbers. It isn't needed for either navigation or traffic reports (names will be unique anyway). This frees up some space too.

Entry Ramps:
“Entry to” <Road Number> <Optional Direction> <Optional Junction Number>

I like this also. While it would be nice to drop the "Entry" prefix, it doesn't look good on traffic reports. Seeing as on-ramps are usually short, we don't need to try to save space here.

[Timbones]

Something else to consider is that the TTS will add a pause for a colon character.

A quick aside to A-roads, using a colon instead of the current dash, is better IMHO. Adds a pause, and takes up less screen space.

I'd be okay with this, but doesn't TTS on Waze read dash with a pause also? The online vocaliser doesn't exactly match how the client reads things.

[Timbones]

Is this something we can request?

I think we should. While the colon might look and sound better, we have an aweful lot of roads with dashes now.
Waze could either tweak TTS to treat dashes as pauses, or do a sweeping change in the database.

How about starting a new thread for "Changes needed before TTS is released in UK"?
We need to propose some rules of how road numbers get read out too.

[Timbones]

Plus part of me shudders at the thought of a mass edit like that. I have visions of a basemap-style cockup!

Me too.